GYMNASTICS / U.S. CLASSIC : Engel Finishes Fifth for Hometown Fans

Shelley Engel brought her own cheering section to the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Classic on Sunday, then gave nearly everyone in the Marina High School gym something to cheer about.

She didn’t win the meet. That honor went to Kim Kelly, a 16-year old veteran from Allentown, Pa., who entered Sunday’s optional competition in first place and performed skillfully enough to stay there.

But Engel, 14, and competing in her hometown of Huntington Beach, successfully performed complicated tricks in every event to move from 12th place and finish in fifth by scoring 38.650 points. She won the balance beam event with a score of 9.750. Had this been solely an optional event competition--compulsory competition was held Saturday and the scores from both days were combined--Engel would have tied Dominique Dawes for second place. Engel’s combination score was 75.530.

“I was so nervous and was hoping to finish in the top 10, but this is great,” Engel said.

This was Engel’s fifth competition, her first major meet and her first time competing as a senior gymnast. She is one of 18 gymnasts who qualified at this meet to advance to the the U.S. National Championships next month in Cincinnati.

Kelly scored 38.300 points in Sunday’s optional competition for a combination score of 76.630. Shannon Miller of Oklahoma City finished second with 38.750 for a total of 76.150. Jennifer McKernan of Pomptom Plains, N.J., was third with 37.925 (76.060 total). Denise Fierro of Covina finished seventh with 37.375 (74.930).

Liz Crandall and Sandy Woolsey, the first- and second-place leaders, respectively, after Saturday’s compulsory competition, didn’t compete in Sunday’s optional competition. Both already have qualified through other meets for the national championships.

Engel scored a 9.7 in vaulting and followed with a 9.475 on the uneven bars, an event where the scores given were low overall. On the balance beam, Engel performs a cartwheel followed by a side flip. When she performed that trick, followed by a series of back layout and a dismount that included two double back-flips, the crowd was appreciative.

“That was my best beam routine ever,” Engel said. “When I hit that trick I loosened up and started enjoying myself.”

Engel scored 9.725 in the floor exercise.

Dawes, of Silver Springs, Md., entered the meet in 29th place and moved to sixth place. She tied with Engel at 38.650.